Problem with my Balance n Brighten

shoesnbags · ‎03-10-2010

I wondering if any Balance n Brighten fans out there have had this problem and if you were able to do anything to fix it. I've been happily using my first B&B from the last TSV - the Mediterranean set - since it was delivered. So it's been maybe 8 weeks or so.

This past week I noticed that the top had darkened and I've been getting less product when I brush over it. It's gotten worse, and now I can't get any B&B on my brush at all. Even tried brushing over it with toothbrush to get the top layer off, but it's hard as a rock!

I use Elta MD sunscreen on my face every day, and wait a good 5 minutes before brushing on the B&B. But the sunscreen is moisturing, so it doesn't really "dry." That's good for my skin, but I guess not good for the B&B. At first I was using just the Elta MD & the B&B, but a couple of weeks ago I bought Laura's Spackle and have used that over the sunscreen. Since the B&B only hardened recently, maybe it's the combination of those two that's the problem?

At this point I'm thinking that I'll have to toss this B&B and go back to my old foundation, which I was happy with until I bought the TSV. I'm not willing to change sunscreens as I'm very happy with the Elta MD. And I'm afraid to spend more $ on a new B&B if I only get part way through the container. I guess that I'll have to cancel my auto-delivery as well. It's a shame because I've been so happy with the products in the Mediterranean TSV!

Any thoughts, ladies?

"Breathe in, breathe out, move on." Jimmy Buffett

RainyDayGal · ‎03-09-2010

@shoesnbags wrote:
I wondering if any Balance n Brighten fans out there have had this problem and if you were able to do anything to fix it. I've been happily using my first B&B from the last TSV - the Mediterranean set - since it was delivered. So it's been maybe 8 weeks or so.

This past week I noticed that the top had darkened and I've been getting less product when I brush over it. It's gotten worse, and now I can't get any B&B on my brush at all. Even tried brushing over it with toothbrush to get the top layer off, but it's hard as a rock!

I use Elta MD sunscreen on my face every day, and wait a good 5 minutes before brushing on the B&B. But the sunscreen is moisturing, so it doesn't really "dry." That's good for my skin, but I guess not good for the B&B. At first I was using just the Elta MD & the B&B, but a couple of weeks ago I bought Laura's Spackle and have used that over the sunscreen. Since the B&B only hardened recently, maybe it's the combination of those two that's the problem?

At this point I'm thinking that I'll have to toss this B&B and go back to my old foundation, which I was happy with until I bought the TSV. I'm not willing to change sunscreens as I'm very happy with the Elta MD. And I'm afraid to spend more $ on a new B&B if I only get part way through the container. I guess that I'll have to cancel my auto-delivery as well. It's a shame because I've been so happy with the products in the Mediterranean TSV!

Any thoughts, ladies?

Try scraping the top layer of the BnB with a knife. Although it could be the oils from your face/suncreen/spackle may have soaked into the foundation. I would stop using the Spackle and see if that makes any difference. It sounds like that could be the problem. Also be sure to clean your application brush frequently.

2blonde · ‎03-10-2010

Sounds like your face is still "wet" when you begin applying the B&B. Maybe you are applying too much spackle, or maybe you should give it time to dry down a bit more before you apply the B&B. I moisturize my face a lot (I'm older), but I don't apply the B&B until later, and I don't use a primer. In the summer I use the B&B with the SPF 15 in it......it's enough protection for my tannish skin.

Laura loves cats!

MandyG06 · ‎04-01-2016

maybe you "hit the pan", aka used all of the product I did that with LG items and didn't know I hit-pan until I asked my friend what to do!

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

That never happened to me years ago when I tried B&B BUT it did happen when I used the IT Celebration foundation. I have never had that happened before with another pressed powder foundation even though I use the same skincare so I don't blame the skincare nor would I change my skincare for a foundation when others don't do that. I got tired of scraping it off and thought it was ridiculous for many reasons so I stopped trying to make it work. There are just as good, if not better, brands out there that won't do that so I suggest moving on to something else.

Caaareful Shopper · ‎10-09-2012

Along with ensuring you are waiting till your moisturizer & primer are dry and set, do you routinely wash your brush as well? Stored in a cool, dry place with no excess humidity? Just throwing out some ideas, not sure at all what it could be.

I have used LG's B&B foundation for two years and have not had this happen.

shoesnbags · ‎03-10-2010

@MandyG06 wrote:
maybe you "hit the pan", aka used all of the product I did that with LG items and didn't know I hit-pan until I asked my friend what to do!

@MandyG06

Hmmm. What does it look like when you hit the pan on a LG product? I'd expect to see a smooth metal or plastic base. But I'm seeing a textured surface - like a gridwork of little squares. Ist THAT the pan? I'll feel a whole lot better if I just used it all, instead of ruined it with my sunscreen.

@MandyG06 or anyone else, how does the Balance n Brighten base look when you've "hit the pan"?

"Breathe in, breathe out, move on." Jimmy Buffett